The Local Church opened the Pauline Year in a climate of great celebration. In various cities around the country, the FSPs organized activities in keeping with the spirit of the Apostle of the Gentiles. Many priests and religious, ecclesial groups and the laity participated in the opening liturgies, joyfully and enthusiastically welcoming the Holy Father’s invitation to celebrate this special year and feeling themselves to be disciples and missionaries to the people of today.

La Paz – Solemn Eucharistic Celebration on 28 June 2008 in St. Peter’s Church, presided over by Archbishop Edmundo Abastoflor. In his homily, the Archbishop said emphatically: “During this year, everyone should strive to come to a better knowledge of the life and doctrine of St. Paul, Christ’s faithful apostle. Like Paul, it is our duty to bring the Gospel to all humanity.”

Cochabamba – on 29 June 2008, Archbishop Tito Solari opened in the Pauline Year with a Eucharistic Celebration in the Cathedral. In his homily, he said that “The Pauline Year will allow us to come to better know one of the greatest figures in history–a person who was truly in love with Jesus: Who will separate me from the love of Christ?”

Santa Cruz – Here too, the Pauline Year opened with a Eucharistic Celebration in the Cathedral presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Braulio Sanz.

La Paz - Bible Days Dedicated to the Apostle of the Gentiles

To help to make St. Paul better known and loved during this year dedicated to him: with this goal in mind, the FSPs of La Paz organized three Bible Days in November in Patacamaya, located 126 km. from the capital in the Prelaure of Coro Coro.

The initiative opened with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration in which many pastoral workers and other members of the faithful fervently participated. In his homily, the celebrant, Fr. Wilfredo, underscored: “This is a special year in which to get to know the great Apostle of the Gentiles, who in his letters shows us how to be Christians totally dedicated to the cause of Jesus Christ.”

During the Bible Days, the FSPs held conferences for young people, teachers and the laity, and also visited the families of the area. They say it was a positive experience that helped them get to know the situation and pastoral problems of that part of the country, which in recent years has seen the widespread diffusion of many sects through the area.